ADVANCED ENERGY BLOG -- DAVE KARPINSKIWork force development is the gift -- and challenge -- of shale gas to all of us

By DAVE KARPINSKI

DAVE KARPINSKIDave Karpinski is Vice President of NorTech and Director of NorTech Energy Enterprise. He leads the organizations efforts to accelerate economic growth in Northeast Ohio's advanced energy industry and has over 20 years of private sector experience in a variety of manufacturing-related industries.

As an economic engine and job growth driver, shale gas in Ohio is generating tremendous anticipation and opportunity. And it has the potential to benefit virtually all of us – companies, workers, communities, land owners and citizens in our region and state. In fact, at NorTech, we believe the Utica shale play can be a significant benefit to our economy and our work force – given the supply chain, operational, maintenance and logistical needs of the industry. The potential impacts have been thoroughly analyzed and widely reported by countless numbers of publications, researchers, pundits and forecasters, so there's no reason for me to re-state all of that here.However, I would submit to you that, despite all of the upside, there is a significant challenge looming – the effects on the current work force in the manufacturing sector. I think it's safe to assume that the demands of the oil and gas industry will be satisfied in part by attracting workers away from our existing manufacturing companies. The challenge is how to develop additional qualified workers so that we can satisfy the needs of the oil and gas industry without compromising our existing manufacturing base. The solution is a holistic, comprehensive view of work force development, which addresses the short- and long-term needs of all industries. Career centers, community colleges, vocational education in high schools and the skilled trades are all well positioned to be part of the solution, in cooperation with the economic development community and manufacturing industry. Here are three critical areas of activity: • Develop a clear “message” and “story” to attract people to the often overlooked and underappreciated opportunities in manufacturing and oil and gas. • Market the benefits and opportunities in manufacturing to the up and coming work force in a coordinated and compelling manner, while helping the current generation continue to develop new skills to ensure their role in tomorrow's work force. • Coordinate among the work force development community to effectively execute the necessary training and education programs.The bottom line is we want those well-paying, shale gas-driven jobs filled by highly competent Ohioans but not at the expense of the rest of our manufacturing base. Yes, “we want to have our cake and eat it too,” and we can. “We believe the demand for highly skilled manufacturing employees will continue to be a strong economic opportunity for Ohio,” said Barbara Milliken, dean of corporate services and continuing education at Stark State College in North Canton. “Ohio needs a robust, multiskilled work force to help support the oil and gas industry, our existing manufacturers, and our strong position in the supply chain for the advanced energy industry. We must both attract and prepare the work force for the opportunities ahead.”Failure to address these challenges and opportunities would be a disservice to our overall manufacturing base, and the companies and workers who call Ohio home. The oil and gas industry will have particularly high demand for skilled, adaptable workers in the critical areas of maintenance, welding, electrical and fleet driving, among other areas. In fact, we have already heard from some manufacturers and their supply chain partners how difficult it can be to find highly skilled manufacturing employees in those fields. Add a fast-growing shale gas sector to the mix and you can see the potential for serious unintended consequences of skilled work force shortages. We must take manufacturing work force development to a higher level of strategic planning and execution. The shale gas boom may well be the catalyst we need, but it is not the only essential ingredient.

Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited. All rights Reserved
2016
www.crainscleveland.com